The first release of Penfolds Bin 23 Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir.
‘Bold’ is the company line and ‘unexpected’ was my first reaction to Penfolds doing Pinot Noir. I first tried a Penfolds Pinot Noir last year at the Cellar Reserve launch. I must say I was surprised that it was such good quality. It seemed unusual that a company synonymous with BIG REDS would venture into this area. As we all know, the Pinot Noir grape is one of the most difficult to grow and one of the most temperamental styles in the red wine world. Alas, Penfolds have decided to take it from the experimental world and into our homes under the Bin Range.
On the tasting notes, Peter Gago states: “Many Adelaide Hills vineyards, many clones, many ferments, many barriques. One blend. No apologies - a Penfolds Pinot Noir”
The colour is very dark for a Pinot. I have seen a few NZ pinot’s this colour but nothing from Australia comes to mind. The nose is a complex weave of spice & cedar with a hint of cherries. It is definitely punching above the weight of your typical Pinot. The palate continues in the same vein with rich flavours of rhubarb & berries and it has a wonderful length. Being the first vintage there can be no comparison or insight into how it will age but I can only assume that making a wine with such full body and knowing what the Penfolds Bin Range represents we can only assume that this wine was made to last a little longer than most. It would be very interesting to be holding on to the first vintage of a lot of the various Bin Range varieties wouldn’t it?
The jury is out in my mind, on this wine. I like it but I am perplexed by it. It is not like any Pinot I have ever tasted yet you cannot fault the wine making. I wait with anticipation to see how this unfolds in the coming years.
